Remember your very first time hearing what digital-remastering could do? Sure original recordings free from further edits or enhancements speaks volumes for purists… (what Ozzy did all those years ago to that poor bass player not withstanding =O!). However say you already own the original works of a particular artist/group or maybe just a single album you cherish~*, now try to imagine those collection(s) of your most favorite~♥songs getting an audio makeover giving the music’s instrumentation a deeper bass, choral ensemble vocals a richer tone, drums an even livelier array of pings.. crashes and booms, guitars an enhanced ring, orchestration an enhanced sense of engulfing and posturing each composition all the while the vocals you now hear have an added element of depth and warmth to them. And yet all of these songs are so familiar that you can readily recall every tempo change, hook and lyric and still there’s something so very new as if you’re hearing them all again for the very first time~.

Never one to shy away from the unfamiliar when it comes to music I’d preach that by maintaining a “listen without prejudice” approach to all things musical no matter their genre or age is most rewarding as while no single person will ever be enlightened by the entirety of our world’s vast musical catalog, by keeping your ears and heart open at all times there’s simply a wealth of artists/ groups and songs out there which when you give it its due time can enhance your very livelihood as music is GOOD FOR THE SOUL =). Songs, melodies and lyrics can give us a sense of love, happiness, sorrow, melancholy, belonging, being and a true sense of how very much we are all connected in the big picture of life… and simply the more you keep yourself open to listening and venturing into the unfamiliar and unknown out there, the more enhanced and enjoyable likewise will be your personal musical library. Restraining your listening away from music based upon it being old or new or perhaps a genre you haven’t yet warmed up to is a shame as whether deemed great or otherwise our tastes are certainly in the eye of the beholder as to each their own, those gems are all around us if we only give them a try (listen….) ^^.

Now returning to the whole remastering thingy I opened with, where I was heading on that notion of first enhanced listening experiences and how the familiar can be given a huge breath of hearing for the very first time…. is how it brings memories of Steely Dan and in particular their incredible (iconic even) album “Aja.” Hear the roar of those audiophiles applaud!! I’d never heard of Steely Dan in the slightest when a co-worker knowing of my love for all things jazz, asked me if I wanted to check out this particular album by a group whom really couldn’t be categorized into a single genre albeit they sat in our store’s rock/pop section. What amazed me initially were the list of musicians present on this single album with initially the likes of a Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Tom Scott, Wayne Shorter and Steve Gadd all so readily familiar to me as they were all synonymous with the world of jazz!~! Now we could speak for hours upon hours about the legendary arrangements, melodies and pretty much every nuance about this album, however my point is simply how much more engulfing the music of “Aja” became when I second purchased it on a remastered gold disc! There are no words to do it justice as each song became as if it were now being listened to as the musicians and song writers originally intended…. livelier… deeper…. higher…. crisper and just plain BIGGER.

And had I just given the notion that I have no interest is “older” music, it makes me shutter to think of just how much incredible music I’d have missed out on over the years with that closed up world in mind.

And so from here I hope that you do take this premise I’ve

been sharing with U to heart~♡ truly as here begins an

artist’s music experience which is too immensely GREAT to

miss. ^^

ZARD Forever Best

~25th Anniversary~

Released earlier this month on February 10th, an all new collection highlighting the music, times and lyrics of Sakai Izumi has now been brought to an all new height in a four disc (52 song!) Blu-spec CD2 box set release!!!!!! First press go getters will additionally receive an outer slip case, photo booklet as well as a serial numbered card which gives access to the making of ZARD’s “Cruising and Live” release!!

This collection pays tribute to the 25th anniversary of ZARD’s debut bookending the group’s beginning with “Good-bye My Loneliness” along with the last song recorded by Sakai Izumi in “Glorious Mind” with fifty highlighted songs from her immense catalog in between…. additionally this collection also includes previously unpublished music which was announced after her passing.

Now it’s not just the latest generation of digital remastering here which is phenomenal!… as these four discs are of the aforementioned Blu-spec CD2 format. Now like I, you may be wondering just what is Blu-spec CD2? Think of it as a CD being created with the same advanced technology used to create our Blu-ray discs! In the words of the professionals here it is in technical terms:

Blu-spec CD describes a Red Book Compact Disc manufactured by a proprietary process introduced by Sony Music Entertainment Japan in late 2008. It employs the Phase Transition Mastering, the technology developed for mastering of Blu-ray discs, to further perfect the characteristics of Blu-spec CD.
Instead of a traditional infra-red laser, a blue laser is used for recording the pits on the CD master that is needed for disc replication. According to Sony, the blue laser creates about 10 times more precise pits than red laser, causing less distortion in the optical read-out process.
The applied Blu-ray Disc polycarbonate polymer material introduces half the jitter (noise) and thus, high-quality audio reproduction. Sony claims that the produced “Blu-spec CD” discs offer a quality similar to the master.
A Blu-spec CD can be played on all CD players and does not require a blue laser to be read.

YES!! it does not require any special type of player to read it! \(^o^)/! And in order to maximize the Blu-spec CD2 format I opted to import to my iPod using the “Apple Lossless” audio option, it took a bit longer to upload to my iTunes library but it was soooooo worth it!~!

..you didn’t think I was going to end this very momentous musical tribute without giving you my all…. as in doing my very best in sharing~♡ the music of ZARD/Sakai Izumi with U… now did you! =)

There’s a wide array of video and audio to go along with the background I’ve covered just below and imho if you don’t click~* play with an indifference to music of the past or your unknown…. you’ll surely be missing out =(. (note: the audio mp3 tracks below are from the original CDs and not from the newly released Blu-spec CD2 discs as this post is aimed at hopefully aspiring more to become fans of her music and so with that I needed to include a much larger catalog of ZARD’s songs here.)

(originally posted @ Vox on October 22nd, 2009… my old blogging stomping grounds ^^)…. secondly @ WP on (May 27th, 2010 Japan time) which was the 3rd anniversary of Sakai Izumi’s passing, and now today (25th anniversary) as this is in remembrance of a wonderful person, artist and musician who touched so many~.

(10/22/09) The following was composed over 4 days…this post is very dear to my ♥ and one that I so wanted to write @ some point before I leave this blog~. I’m sorry that I haven’t been around recently as overtime at work has kept me away and with each day that I writing this post I kept losing more sleep it seems (ノロ≦。)！My mind feels a mess right now and I apologize so much in advance for any typos! surely there must be some or a lot?……but I hope you will enjoy what is written here….hopefully tomorrow I can speak with everyone♥ here again when I’ve caught up with my needed sleep ( 」´０｀)」Zzzzzz….

Every now and then we’re graced with something so unique and special in music♪♪～, artists that move us with their melodies…relate to us with their lyrics and capture us with their hearts~. Sakai Izumi debuted as the lead vocalist for the group Zard in 1991 and for over a decade and a half her powerful vocals would resonate beautifully over 45 single releases and 20 albums (including compilations & tributes)…..she’s truly an artist that has left us too soon~. The sales figures which will follow later in this post truly speak for themselves…as ZARD will forever remain as one of the most beloved and successful groups in Japan’s illustrious music history~.

Born on February 6th, 1969 Kamachi Sachiko would later go under her “stage name” Sakai Izumi and her launch into the music world would go through modeling as she became Nissin’s race queen in 1990 while her Toei karaoke queen title was much more related as she would find her now legendary place in Japan’s music history.

(Click play above for what will be a little prelude to what you’re about to experience in J-Pop music♪♪～…the wonderful world of ZARD♥….and it may also tide you over until you reach the next audio/visual experience~) a translation of the song above can be found a bit later in this post~….but surely this post isn’t really meant by any means to be consumed in a single meeting as it’s rather um long (。ーωー。), but rather hopefully to be enjoyed in separate and hopefully enjoyable excursions over a period of time~ ＾ ＾。

While much of Zard’s legacy is found in their most unique musical sound which placed their own brand of spin upon a mixture of pop/rock to merge at times with contemporary jazz, folk, ska, bossa nova..etc etc., perhaps the most endearing aspect for fans in their music lies in Sakai Izumi’s lyrics which she wrote in entirety throughout the group’s career~. In so much of her lyrics you’ll find expressions that most everyone on many days can so much relate to in our their own lives….through life’s anxieties….the triumphs and faltering of loves….friendships…hopes…desires and *dreams~*….the lingering past and the uncertain future~. Sakai Izumi would also go on to writing lyrics for other notable artists in Field of View, Deen and Barbier with also a collaboration with the band Wands in her early career…..and much of this would lead to her work as producer which occurred in her latter releases from Zard’s original album “TODAY IS ANOTHER DAY.”

Also very notable is Sakai Izumi’s most unique vocal style and through what is often intricate phrasing she possesses both a beautiful softness as well as an amazing range in power which is always *heartfelt* and seamless in delivery~.

My very first time experiencing Zard’s music would be with their 6th album titled “forever you” from a friend’s recommendation, and while at the time even this album was an older release…it would begin one of my most earnest efforts in backtracking as I so wanted to collect and be able to listen to all of Zard’s earlier releases as I had truly already fallen in love with their sweet brand of pop/rock~. So many of their singles were already out of print then so I would then need to sometimes search through rental CD shops and second hand online stores in hopes of acquiring her complete discography and happily after a few years and lots of wishing I was able to complete Zard’s early catalog and I never missed a release since ＾ ＾。

For much of her life within Zard and even on the outside, Sakai Izumi remained very private and this also translated into the group’s solitude in refraining from live performances….an isolation that would last for most of the groups existence although Zard did once appear live on music t.v. shows such as Music Station in their very early days~. In January of 2000 Zard would release their first and only live CD album…”Zard Cruising & Live”….the live recorded event of events would be held upon the cruise ship…”The Pacific Venus” and the setting aboard appeared to be a most intimate concert with those so lucky to get a ticket aboard this unprecedented event in the group’s career~…only 600 fan club members were able to attend out of more than 2 million requests for tickets~! In 2005 Zard would release what would be a culmination of the group’s very first open tour across Japan which ran from March till July of 2004~! Their “What a beautiful moment” tour would visit Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama, Aomorishi, Sendai, Nagoya, Fukuoka reaching it’s climax at Japan’s celebrated Nippon Budoukan at end~ and a beautifully packaged 2 DVD set would follow and even with Zard’s immensely beloved catalog of songs available to perform….their setlist didn’t disappoint a single bit~! In October of 2006 Zard would also release another first in the form of an all inclusive music video compilation titled “Le Portfolio 1991-2006″…the box set would also include a photo & lyric booklet as well as an outer flip open style casing. The videos within are presented in a collage style which groups them into short periods of mostly one to two years at a time~.

In hindsight, Zard’s unspoken hiatus which occurred after their single release in May of 2006 and went on for about a year afterward maybe should have triggered some concern….but really I just could never have thought something was so wrong back then. Sakai Izumi had been hospitalized in June 2006 after discovering that she had cervical cancer and had the tumor removed. She returned to the hospital in April of 2007 after the cancer was found to have spread to her lungs. Sakai Izumi passed away from a brain contusion which she suffered after falling about 3 meters down an emergency stairway in the hospital hitting the back of her head. She had been on one of her daily walks when this occurred. I can only imagine that the medication she was under and the overall weakness of her body caused this to happen.

Numerous album compilations & tributes along with memorials would follow. On December 12th Zard’s final recording “Glorious Mind” (jbcj-4003) was released (although two latter single releases would follow with guest artists Kamiki Aya and Kuraki Mai helping to pay tribute as they recorded their voices along with Sakai Izumi’s in previously unreleased works written by the late artist) placing the final bookend to what has been one of the most loved and celebrated works in J-Pop history.Furthermore…there would be album compilations released since…”Soffio de vento” is a compilation of Sakai Izumi’s favorite songs personally chosen by her and “Brezza di mare” is a collection of songs from her catalog paying tribute to her memorable career, both were released on August 15, 2007 and include special additional DVDs. On January 1st, 2008 Sakai Izumi was paid tribute to during Japan’s annual Kouhaku (Red & White Songfest) and while Zard never appeared on the Kouhaku it was so much a wonderful gesture on their part. Shortly afterward on January 23rd, 2008 “Zard Request Best~beautiful memory~” was released….the collection includes two discs of fan voted favorites, a 17th anniversary calendar and a special DVD with a medley of Yureru omoi”…”Glorious Mind”..and “Makenaide” from Sakai Izumi’s tribute event where artists came together to perform live for fans as a large screen towards the back of the stage showed images of Sakai Izumi performing “along” with them in this final live tribute to what was……a most beautiful life~ now gone too soon.

While I would have loved to have included each and every song here in mp3’s….that would have been a much too daunting task I think so here I’ve selected a few favorites♥ to accompany these cover scans which will cover Zard’s complete works~. Please enjoy the music♪♪～ experience of Zard♥~! ＾ ＾

Kokoro no oku wo anata ni nozokaresou
(I feel that you are going to peek deep into my heart)
me wo sorashite mo kizukaresou de
(Even if I avert my eyes, I think you will notice)
kemuru tokai no rain drops
(The rain drops of the smokey city)
yuraideita no
(It is fate)
mata hitori ni naru no ga kowakute
(I am again scared to be alone)

Tsurenai koi no yukue wa kisetsu makase
(Leave the whereabouts of love that you cannot lead to the seasons)
itsumo mirai ga ame de mienai
(The future is blurred because of the rain)
tasumu tokai no tear drops
(The tear drops of an aching city)
okubyou ni naru no
(I become fearful)
samete omoi atatamete hoshii
(Refresh my memories that have faded)

**Nemurenai yoru wo daite
(Hold me when I cannot sleep)
kakenuketa toki wo omouno
(I remember the time when I ran and fell for you,)
mada shoujo no koro no
(When I was still a young girl,)
Adokenai egao ni modotte
(returning to your familiar smile,)
In my dream mystery

Faindaa no naka tereta shigusa wa
(The gestures shined in the finder)
ano koro to kawaranai
(Is the same as that time)
chikaku ni isugite kizukanakatta kedo
(Being too close I did not notice)
anata ga itsudemo soba ni ita
(You were always by my side)

I need you, babe
tsumetaku shita koto mo atta kedo…gomen ne
(There were times when I was cold to you…I’m sorry)
I want you, babe
afureru kimochi wo
(My overflowing feelings)
dare yori mo just for you
(More than anyone just for you)

Every day, every night naitarishitakedo
(Every day, every night I did things like crying)
dare ni mo hanasenakute
(I could not tell anyone)
bukiyou dakedo seiippai anata wo
aishita ano kisetsu
(Even though I was clumsy, I loved you the best I could)
kureyu mich afureru hitonami
(When the streets get dark, among the crowd of people)
ima ni mo egao de anata ga arawaresoude
(It’s as if your face is going to appear at any minute)

Wakare wa konayuki
(It was snowing when we parted)
sabishisa ga mune ni
tsumoru mata aitai
(Loneliness is piling up within my heart, I want to see you again)
doushite ano toki kizutsuke atta no darou
(Why did we hurt each other?)
tsuyogaru shikanakute
(There was nothing I could do except put on a bold front)
hoshikuzu no naka maniau you ni
(As if meeting each other just in time, amongst the stars)
juutai nukete okuttekuretano itsumo
(You always passed through the traffic jam and saw me off)

Nee sonna ni shaberanakutemo
Even if you don’t talk much
Watashi waratte irareru kara
I can smile
Mou aenai ki ga shite…
I have a feeling that I cannot see you anymore…
Daremo inai eki no houmu
On the platform of an empty station
Sorezore no fuyu erabi omoide ni te wo futta
Choosing several Winters I waved my hand to memories

Anata wo kanjiteitai
I want to feel you
Tatoe touku hanareteitemo
Even if you are far away
Tokimeku kokoro tomenaide
Don’t stop your throbbing heart
Minna mienai ashita wo sagashiteiru
Searching for a tomorrow that no one can see
Yakusoku nante nanimonai kedo
Although we don’t have promises
Kawaranai futari de iyou ne
Let’s remain an unchanged couple

Furueru kuchibiru fusaide
Closing my quivering lips
Wakare kiwa iikaketa kotoba ni
When I was about to speak on the brink of parting
Mou aenai ki ga shita…
I had a feeling that I cannot see you anymore…
Hitori aruku machijuu ga nijinda kyandoru de ippai
The whole street where I walk alone is full of blurred candles
Setsunakute
Painfully

Anata wo kanjiteitai
I want to feel you
Shiroi toiki no kisetsu no naka de
In the season when one’s breath is white
Imasugu tondeyukitai kedo
Although I want to fly to you immediately
Subete wo sutete yukenai watashi ga iru
I cannot just throw away everything and go
Kuchi ni dasanai yasashisa ga itai
It hurts not being able to express my gentleness
Mado no soto mo yuki ni kawatta
Even outside the window it has changed to snow

Anata wo kanjiteitai
I want to feel you
Giniro no kisetsu no naka de
In the silver season
Kagayaki tsuzukete hoshii
I want (you to) continue shining
Dakedo tokai no supiido ni nagasarenaide
But don’t be carried away by the city speed
“Matteiru kara” to doushite ano toki sunao ni ienakatta no darou…
Why at the time I could not say “I’m waiting for you” gently…

Surikireru hodo kiita arubamu ga
ano koro tatta hitori no tomodachi datta
(The only friend I had was a record album that I listened to until I wore it out)
deai to wakare wo kurikaeshi
(Repeated meetings and partings)
tadori tsuita ima anata ni
(After all of that struggling, I finally found you)

Just believe in love
anna ni atsuku kogashita omoi ga yureteiru
(Have you started to forget the intense feelings I burned on to you)
kanjiteru anata no ai wo karadajuu
(I feel your love all over my body)
kono mama tokete yuku asobi tsukarete nemuru kodomo no you ni
(It melts away, like children sleeping after a hard day of playing)

Furishikiru ame ga niji ni kawaru
(The downpour of rain turns into a rainbow)
toshi no sa no mayoi wo sutete tobi konda
(I disregarded the age difference and jumped into the relationship)
ima kono shunkan ni yume ga samete shimawanu you ni tsuyoku
dakishimete watashi wo
(Hold me tightly, like this is the last moment we have together)

Just believe in love
anna ni atsuku kogashita omoi ga yureteiru
(Have you started to forget the intense feelings I burned on to you)
hohoemi mo wasuretaku naru kono machi de
(In a city that makes you want to forget to smile)
tsumazuku koto sae mo ashita e no kibou e to kaete yukou
(Even when you stumble, you can always change your hopes for the better)

Hontou no ai nara
(If this love were true)
kitto ironna koto nori koerareta no ni
(All these hardships would be overcome)
hoshi no pareedo namida ga koborenai you ni
ookiku iki wo sutta
(Under this parade of stars I took a large breath as if to hold back the tears)
hitori de iru toki no samishisa yori
futari de iru toki no kodoku no hou ga kanashii
(It’s even sadder when I feel lonely while we’re together than when I’m alone)

“Kokoro wo hiraite” was released on May 6th, 1996…..and I so love♥ its b-side “Change my mind.” There’s so much in these lyrics that reveal suppressed feelings when in a relationship similar to this one~.

Boottoshite futtoushita yakan no oto ni sae
Kizukanakatta
(I was in such a daze that I was even unaware of the boiling kettle)
funukena jibun wo mou hitori no jibun ga azawarau
(I laugh at the cowardly me who is alone once again)

Shinkokyuushite tell you
(I tell you with a deep breath)
mou nido to awanai to heisei wo yosowootta
(I pretended to be at peace by never seeing you again)
uso nano ni…tell you
(Even though I lie when I tell you)
“I can change my mind”
anata wo kurushimasatakunai
(I didn’t want to make you suffer)

Shinkokyuushite tell you
(I tell you with a deep breath)
mou nido to awanai to heisei wo yosowootta
(I pretended to be at peace by never seeing you again)
uso nano ni…tell you
(Even though I lie when I tell you)
“I can change my mind”
kattena yatsu dato semete
(Reproach me that I am a selfish girl)

Tomodachi ni tegami wo kaku toki mitai ni
surasura kotoba ga detekureba iinoni
(I wish that I could write this letter like when I was writing to a friend, because then it is so easy to write)
mo sukoshi otagai wo shiriauni wa jikan ga hoshii
(I wish we had a little bit more time, so we could have gotten to know each other better)
uragiranai no wa kasoku date nante
sabishisugiru yo
(It would be too lonely if the only people that we wouldn’t betray is our families)
love is asking to be loved
shinjiru koto wo yamete shimae ba
(If we stop believing)
raku ni narutte wakatteru kedo
(I know that it would become easier but…)

Don’t you see!
chiisana kenka de
makezugirai na futari dakara hotto shita no
(Even if we have a small fight, we both don’t like to lose, so I was relieved [because I know it isn’t serious])
Don’t you see!
ironna hito wo miruyori
(Instead of seeing many different people)
zutto onaji anata wo miteitai
(I want to see just you)

Don’t you see! I’ll never worry tonight
I’ll lay me down tonight
You know, I do it for you

Don’t you see!
umareta machi no nioi
(The smell of my hometown)
kurekakaru gairojuu wo futari arukeba
(The two of us walking along the side of a tree lined avenue)
Don’t you see!
sekaijuu no daremo ga donna ni isoide mo
(No matter how busy people in the world are)
watashi wo tsukamaeteite
(Please keep holding onto me)

Kimi ni aitakunattara…
(If I shall want to meet you…)
sono hi made ganbaru jibun de itai
(I want to stick it out on my own till that day)
aoku kurekaketa machinami
(On the street which is bathed in evening blue)
mata omoikiri sawagou ne
(Let’s make merry to our heart’s content again)

futo kagami wo mireba nante tsukareta kao
(When I look into the mirror by chance, I see such a tired face)
hito no me niwa jibun wa dou utsutteiru no kana?
(I wonder how I look in the eyes of others?)
tamani wa sukoshi kyori o oite
mitakatta no shibaraku wa
(Occasionally I wanted to overcome this distance between us, but for the time being)
renai janai koibito janai kankei de ite
(Let’s have a non romantic, non lover relationship)

Soredemo anna deai wa nido to nai yone
(Even so, such a meeting will never come again)
warubuttatte hito no yosa souna hitomi wa kakusenai
(Even if you pretend to be a bad egg, your eyes tell me you are a lovable person)

Kimi ni aitakunattara…
(If I shall want to meet you…)
sono hi made ganbaru jibun de itai
(I want to stick it out on my own till that day)
kore ga saisho de saigo no koi ni
nareba iina to omou
(I want to make it my first and last romance)

“Glorious Mind” was originally slated to be Zard’s final single…it being the first to be released after her passing, however two more singles would follow with more unreleased music~ and guest artists sharing the vocals. “Glorious Mind” was released on December 12th, 2007.

“Tsubasa wo Hirogete” / “Ai wa Kuraami no Naka de” were released as double-a sides on April 9th, 2008.

“Ai wa kuraami no naka de” features the guest vocals of Kamiki Aya~.

Just being able to hear more music with Sakai Izumi’s writing and vocals was so special and when this single arrived I was truly filled with a sweet happiness…both tracks are so different in “Tsubasa wo hirogete” being a soft ballad~ while “Ai wa kuraami no naka de” is a powerful and most energetic rock composition~.

“Sunao ni Ienakute” was released on May 27th, 2009…the title track was originally released as the coupling song for Zard’s 2nd single “Fushige ne…” so many years ago~ and here it is as an all new recording from earlier this year! All lyrics & music composed by Sakai Izumi~. The coupling with track “Hypnosis” is also a rearranged track as it was originally released as the coupling with song to Zard’s single “Mind Games.” Guest vocalist Kuraki Mai is heard on the title track “Sunao ni ienakute.”

Yasashisugita wakare no kotoba ga
(The words said when we broke up were too kind)
ima mo yomigaeru memory
(Even now, I still remember)
mada doko ka de omoide no naka no
(Still deep inside of me are these memories)
anata wo sagashiteru
(I still search for you)

6. Dangerous Tonight
7. Konna ni aishite mo
8. Why don’t you leave me alone?
9. Ai wa nemutteru
10. Tooi hi no nostalgia (Something about this melody……..it has such a “closing” effect~ sort of like you’re imagining seeing the credits rolling while it’s playing along. I know that probably makes little sense to you but still it’s the feeling that I get every time I listen….it’s sort of a longing for…that I also feel and that’s most likely in the lyrics as well. I really love this song so much too~! ＾ ＾

Higure doki yoku futari de aruita ne
(We used to walk together in the sunset)
Mada kaze ga samui haru no hibi wo
(During the Spring when the wind was still sort of cold)
Sora miage kagayaiteru ano hoshitachi
(Looking up to the sky to see those stars)
Te ni todoki sou de sotto nobashita
(It seems so close so I reached out for it)
Gomen ne naisho de ano koto dekaketa koto
(I’m sorry,when I left without telling you)
Sugu hanaseba yurushite kureta?
(If I told you right away would you have forgiven me?)

Hissori to iki wo tometa arubamu ni wa
(I hold my breath quietly as I reach for that album)
Togireta shiawase no history
(Our happiness ending)
Futari to mo asu no yukue shiranai egao
(The 2 of us had smiles on our faces, not knowing where our paths would lead us)
Mujaki na mukashi mune ga itai
(Those innocent days I long for)
Yappari dame da yo
(No, it wouldn’t have worked out)
Ima de mo ki ni natteru kara
(It still bothers me even now)
Hanaseba yurushite kureta?
(If I told you would you have forgiven me?)

Ano hi ienakatta kotoba wa ima mo kono mune no naka de nemutteru
(What I couldn’t say that day, it’s still in my heart)
Ano toki mou sukoshi otona ni nareba
(At that time, if I was a little bit more mature)
Kokai wa hanbun de sunda no ni
(There would have only been half the regret)
It’s too late
Tooi hi no nostalgia
(Nostalgia of days gone)

Setsunakute dashisobireta tegami
(The letter that I failed to send because I was hurting)
itsumo tooku kara kimi wo omoi oh
(Always thinking of you from far away)
ienakute nayandeita ano season
(The season when I suffered because I couldn’t say [confess my love])
itsuno hika sotsugyoushita ne
(In time I graduated)

Kinen no arubamu ima demo
tokidoki wa hiraite miru kedo
(Although even now I still open the commemoration album once in awhile)
usureyuku kimi e no akogare ni
(My admiration for you is wavering)
seishun no imi wo shirasareta
(I was taught the meaning of youth)

My most favorite♥ song by Zard….I find it difficult to even put into words what this song means to me~…

“You and me (and…)

“Gairoju no shita de yakusoku shita” to
(She said) “(He) promised under the roadside tree”
Kanojo no hazumu koe ni watashi, tomadoi wo kakusenakatta
To her bouncy voice, I could not conceal losing my bearings
Ibu no yoru wa tabun kanojo to sugosu no ne
You will probably spend Xmas eve with her, right?

+Mou dekinai wa enjirarenai
I can no longer, I cannot act
Todokanai omoi wa tada konayuki ga mau machi ni kieteyuku
Those thoughts beyond reach could only vanish in the street where the powdery snow dances
Kuzurehajimeta haamonii
The harmony that started to collapse
You and me

“Ima dake kangaete” sou itte daita
“Only consider now” saying this you held me
Kanjiteru noni mune ga itai
Although I feel this way, my heart aches
Yurusarenu yume wo mita no
For I dreamed a forbidden dream
Kanojo to tomodachi de itai no kore kara mo
I still want to be friends with her from now on

++Mou nakanaide ai wa zankoku ne
Don’t cry anymore love is cruel
Atatameta toki wa tooi
Warm times are distant
Deatta koro ni mou modorenai no kaze ni togireta haamonii
We can no longer return to the time we met, the harmony that is interrupted in the wind
You and me

Yurui sakamichi jitensha oshi nagara
(We are pushing our bicycles up this gentle slope)
Ie made okuttekureta
(You were with me all the way till we reached my house)
Anata wa watashi no namae yobisute nishite
( You called my name without saying “miss”
Yugure ni hohoendeitakedo
(You were smiling at the evening)

Utsu muku yokogao nanika nayanderuno?
Sono wake wo oshiete
(Why are you shying away and looking so downcast; what’s bothering you?)
Hajimete no kisu no hi machi wa
Suroomooshon ni
(The day when we first kissed the entire city seemed to be in slow motion)
Kousasuru kurakushon de yume ga sameta
(Only when the car horns started sounding everywhere did we wake up from this reverie)

Itsumo kono jikan wa uchi ni ita no ni…
(Although you were always home at this time…)
saikin kimi wa rusu gachi da ne
(Recently you tend to be away from home)
yatto deta denwa no koe mo
(Even the voice of the phone call that got through at last)
imamade to chigau kanji ga kawatta yo
(Differs thus far, the feeling is different)
mada kimi no naka ni boku ga dorekurai iru no ka
(Still in you how much of me is there)
tashikamete mitainda look in your eyes
(I want to ascertain and see the look in your eyes)

Hanashi sorasanaide aoi natsu no tokimeki no naka de
(Don’t avert from the conversation in the palpitation of the blue summer)
Summer days omoide ni shinaide
(Summer days don’t make it into memories)
ano koro no kimi ga ima mo mune no naka de waratteru
(You at that time is still smiling in my heart now)

Ano koro no kimi ga ima mo mune no naka de waratteru
(You at that time is still smiling in my heart now)

Kawaikunarenai hontou no wake wa
Anata ga watashi wo erabanaitte shitteiru kara
I can’t be cute anymore knowing I wasn’t chosen (by you)
Kikioboe no aru ashioto ga shite
Hearing the familiar sound of footsteps
“Aa” to furi kaettara hito chigaidatta
“Aa” I look back but it turns out to be someone elseKitto kokoro ga sabishiinda
Surely it feels lonely in the heart
Hito ni kitai shitai atenishitai shinjiteitai
I want to place expectations, hopes and trust in others
Moshi anata wo wasureraretara soredemo watashi ikite ikeru no kana
I wonder if I can go on living even if I were able to forget you
Ashita ga aru
There’s still tomorrowKuchi ga umai hito dato dareka ni kiita
I heard from someone that he is good with words
Me no mae no tottemo yowai hito wa uso nano?
The weak person who stands in front of me makes it all seem like a lie
Utagai dashitara kiriganai noni ne
But if I start doubting there will be no end to it
Baka mitai soredemo anata no yume wo miru
Although it is foolish, I still dream about you+Kitto kokoro ga sabishiinda
Surely it feels lonely in the heart
Hito ni kitaishinai atenishinai shinjitakunai
When we place no expectation, hope, or trust in others
Kanashii genjitsu wo nageku yori ima nani ga dekiruka wo kangaeyou
Rather than sighing about this sad reality, let’s think what we can do about it now
Kyou ga kawaru
The day’s going to changeRepeat +Today is another day

“Eien” was released on February 17th, 1999 and the first pressings also included a bonus 3″ CD single containing a special recording of the popular Western hit “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” which can be found here~.

“ZARD BEST The Single Collection~kiseki~” was released on May 28th, 1999 and was available in at least three different first press editions (the only ones I’ve been able to find) with two including VHS “show reel” and “memorial clips” while the third version came with a large sized 36 page photo booklet (“artist file” of ZARD). (photographed above in collection photos) This collection also includes the single “Hate shinai yume wo” which features a collaboration with ZYYG, REV, ZARD & WANDS.”

“ZARD Cruising & Live” was released on January 26th, 2000 and was released in a special limited edition commemorative package which includes a 36 page color booklet with photos from this unprecedented event in the group’s history till this point as well as the live CD and CD-ROM disc with extras~.

Just below is a sampling of what was experienced aboard as I’ve chosen ZARD’s performance of their much beloved single “Dont you see!”

“Tomatteita tokei ga ima ugokidashita” was released on January 28th, 2004 and perhaps you can tell just how puffy this cover is~!….the outer casing is made of plastic with a plushie inside~. This would be ZARD’s 10th original album release.

On October 25th, 2006 ZARD’s “Golden Best 15th Anniversary” collections were released….three versions in all with each including a different extra DVD containing CM selections corresponding to the seasons with…..green for ~Spring~…blue for ~Summer~…and purple for ~Autumn to Winter~. The collection is comprised of 2 CDs containing a total of 27 tracks…..all three versions do have the same track listing with just the extra DVD being the variation~.

Two additional commemorative releases would follow on August 15th, 2007 and reiterate….”Soffio de vento” is a compilation of Sakai Izumi’s favorite songs personally chosen by her and “Brezza di mare” is a collection of songs from her catalog paying tribute to her memorable career, both include special additional DVDs~.

The final bookend tribute would be released on January 23rd, 2008, “Zard Request Best~beautiful memory~”….includes two discs of fan voted favorites, a 17th anniversary calendar and a special DVD with a medley of Yureru omoi”…”Glorious Mind”..and “Makenaide” from Sakai Izumi’s tribute event where artists came together to perform live for fans as a large screen towards the back of the stage showed images of Sakai Izumi performing “along” with them in this final live tribute~.

And here are a just a few live clips from Zard’s “What a beautiful moment” DVD release~…click the tiny arrow to play and please note that depending on your connection some videos may take a bit longer to buffer and play~.

So what does it take to recreate ZARD’s music in entirety in a live environment? A 19 member super group~!!…comprised of members:

This arrangement of my most favorite♥ ZARD song is a bit edited in length but nonetheless so *pretty*~!…..just really one of the most sweet and moving ballads ＾ ＾。

~Don’t you see! (live from “What a beautiful moment”)

I really love how this collage of different live performances were merged into one to match a single live recording~!! It really is a most creative way to create the experience of multiple lives all in one and the continuous timing is amazing~!

~Kitto wasurenai (live tribute)~

This final live clip that I chose is from the first press DVD from ZARD’s single release “Tsubasa wo hirogete”…it was recorded live on September 14th, 2007 after Sakai Izumi’s passing. This is just one of numerous live events which gave fans one final chance to say goodbye via a live atmosphere where a complete live band performed “alongside” Sakai Izumi’s images as both her voice and videos were timed to match the groups’ performance~…..truly very moving.

On October 25th, 2006 a commemorative pv and photo collection was released….five separate sequences which covers ZARD’s releases from year to year in groupings gave fans their very first chance to own their pvs through this most beautifully and thoughtfully packaged release~. And furthermore since there have been more tribute concerts releases and such which have also been covered on this blog. You can find those additional ZARD posts by searching “ZARD” in the search box which is atop on the right hand sidebar of this blog.

This post is my personal tribute to Sakai Izumi~ as her music♪♪～ will live on in my heart forever~.
Thank you for sharing so much.

15 Responses to ~ZARD Forever Best~♡

So so very true !! Had I forgotten that you’re a ZARD fan as the original post was done a long time ago while we were still at VOX. Amazing you have all of her songs too! \(^O^)/ I’ve highlighted my favorites here but there are countless many which deserve favoriting. I miss getting new songs by ZARD =( albeit she’s left us with a life’s work of music to cherish~♡.

I like that as you think of all of her songs being great! Still I’m a ranking type of person but no doubt picking your top favorites is a daunting task! You remember for years after her passing there were all sorts of conspiracy thoughts about the details of what happened at the hospital, full details I think we’ll never know =(.

Wow that’s so wonderful of you~♥!~! And I did make quite the list there =P.

“Dan dan kokoro hikareteku” is definitely one of her finest melodies!! I remember when the single for “Kimi ni aitakunattara…” came out and it being a drama theme song supercharged this release so much!!!!!! “Riso no kekkon” btw starred my dream hubby~♥ Takenouchi Yutaka! An entertaining drama which also stars the amazing Tokiwa Takako and then idol Enomoto Kanako! =) This song instantly brings back all of those fond memories!!!!!!! Great how music can do that!

Ah~! yes that ZARD single even featured that anime’s graphics on the backside of the single!! U~n it reminds me of many days and those times in my life when I was just hearing them for the very first time. Love how music can take you back in that manner of memories and how you direct relate them to family, friends and your life happenings =D.

Karasawa Toshiaki, one of Japan’s most celebrated actors whose career has long been a staple of Asian cinema has a wonderful gem from yesteryear that I’d love to share here~…..and like so many other prominent figures in Japan’s entertainment industry, diversity and one’s willingness & interest to delve into and explore longstanding personal passions or perhaps just to experience a career outside of one’s main forte can lead to the often unexpected and ultimately wonderful...

Some of the most prominent idols of yesteryear went on to become accomplished musicians & songwriters which is something that for the most part, today’s idols are perhaps still striving to accomplish. Two of my favorites~♥~ that come to mind readily are Moritaka Chisato and Tanimura Yumi both of whom actually shed the idol tag quite early...

If you know the series “Furuhata Ninzaburo (was a top rated show in Japan) and you’ve ever watched the drama series “Hitotsu yane no shita” this’ll be mega~funny…(^q^)! And Kimutaku is uncanny~* here…how he captures the acting tendencies of one Tamura Masakazu also a most popular and accomplished actor in Japan. Not only does Kimutaku vocalize to a tee Tamura~san’s voice and all of his speaking nuances from his odd pauses and elongated vowels but he also emulates his posture and idiosyncrasies like how he often taps at his forehead while in thought~….plus check out the hair!!!!!! as the hair itself is a character here =D!! In a nutshell the character Tamura~san plays is Japan’s answer to America’s “Columbo” character made famous by Peter Faulk and in this special SmapxSmap skit the premise for the murder/mystery is set in an endearing drama of the 90’s in “Hitotsu yane no shita” creating a most hilarious merging of shows into one...

Surely a lot of scrutiny would go into anyone naming whom they consider to be perhaps the greatest vocalist they’ve had the pleasure of listening to over years of being a music lover and most definitely it’s an absolutely subjective outcome for each individual’s taste. Not an easy task by any means but for me personally while there are so many seemingly countless accomplished vocalists from generations past till present one name keeps coming to mind each and every time I hear him sing♪♪…

By 1997 Amuro Namie's music career was reaching new peaks~* during her “can you celebrate?” period and while many perhaps dreamed to reach her level of talent and success, one aspiring artist sought and found true emulation in her style~ling...

A magical marriage in music and stage presence took place on this night as legendary singer Ishii Tatsuya who’s best known for his larger than earth personality+ larger than (your group!) group Kome Kome Club + a larger than life voice to back all that up 200% and then some~!!!…took the stage accompanied by the most talented and beautiful Matsu Takako all on a most special engagement on Music Fair...

While Norikochan is deep in thought above thinking about her future……I thought I’d share a bit of her musical♪♪ career and early idol side. =)
Shiina Noriko began appearing in numerous idol publications including UTB and Weekly Young Magazine in the late 90′s leading up to her honor of being named Fuji Television’s “Visual Queen of the Year” in 2001. But unlike previous years which featured only a single winner, 2001 would present four idols being named to this popular title…….but I always felt that Norikochan *shined* the most of the four that were chosen that year and she would prove to be very worthy of the Visual Queen award as she ventured into additional modeling, t.v. dramas and yes~! music!!

One of the first J-Pop artist’ voices that I fell in love with belongs to Mochida Maki and there’s just something so aesthetically *pure* and *beautiful* in Mochida Maki’s voice….in fact I’ll go as far as to say it’s one of the most *pure* voices that I’ve encountered in J-Pop over the years and that holds true till this day~.

Fukuyama Masaharu♥ has long been one of Japan’s most beloved~* icons and constant figures as both a most accomplished musician and actor~…..his talents reach even further though as he writes, produces and has also charmed~* in the likes of radio and stage~.

I honestly haven’t been this moved and impressed by a solo artists’ release in ages and while Acchan has steadily and surely endeared herself to me there’s always that singular moment when you fully realize just how much and liken it to a coronation of one of your most favorite of idols~♥...

What’s better than idol♥ bowling? Getting idols to dish the dirt on one another in pressure moments while they bowl and to think these select 24 girls thought they were just going plain bowling and it’s quite surprising how many reveal this to be their very first time throwing that oversized gumball with three holes down a slippery lane in search of pins...

I’ve been in a sort of an anime* mood recently and so I thought I’d feature an older Vox post here @ WordPress and in terms of a J~pop idol♥ who better to exemplify an “anime” voice than CoCo’s Miura♥Rieko ＾ ＾。

Qlair, a wonderful part of the legendary Otomejuku idol phenomenon and a great testament to Momusu & H!P’s longevity can be really further appreciated when you examine other idol groups which boomed from the late 80′s into the mid 90′s, many of which held tenures lasting no more than 5 years and often times far shorter than that. What the numbers don’t share though is the high quality of the music produced in these sometimes brief J-Pop careers and Qlair is a great example of just that...

It’s funny how the very initial aesthetics are obvious when it comes to accessorizing as a single cute~♥ hair bow atop is a constant and a fashion statement must!! Mmm but when you really dig a bit “deeper”….Blossom and Takamina….Takamina and Blossom….Blossom and Takamina….Takamina and Blossom…..and soon you can’t tell the two apart or you just feel a bit zany like I do at times :P.

And what’s so different about “Kimi wa, boku no mono” is that it isn’t shot in your typical “idol” way and what I mean by that is that it’s not chaptered into camera seducing♥ segments but rather “Kimi, wa boku no mono” is presented very much like a documentary instead and it’s very warm and candidly~revealing of how production goes on a day~to~day basis~....

Ever ponder what life would be like residing beside Mayuyu♥ post~idol♥ dating into her late 30’s?…or just how often you’ll be “surprised~*” to see omelet rice upon your dining table day or night? Well, wonder no longer as the always experience packed singles presented by the incomparable AKB team have produced a debut single very much worthy of the one~and~only cutest resident nezumi~♥!! You see her voice has always been as preciously adorable as *~animemaki~*...

The stage set up and atmosphere is most intimate and free of any frills or distractions making the music and C~ute’s duo up front and center and while I’ve longed for in the past to see much more musicianship amongst idols as the extra presence of instruments coupled with these all too often hidden talents we know so many of our favorite idols possess, when taken to stage adds an immeasurable dimension to their presence and I believe that to their appeal as well. The presence of a live band versus a recording, then too makes these real~live events even more enjoyable both musically and visually as the nuances of musical improvisation and re~arrangements to familiar songs gives the audience entirely new moods and twists to the set lists breathing an endless possibility for both your eyes and ears. Here the underlying musical theme of sweet~folk~pop takes the reigns on this set list which includes...

I have to start with Final Fantasy VIII. It’s has by far my favorite FF theme song with “Eyes on Me.” Not necessarily the best of the series game wise but I sure really did ♥ it playing for hours into days into weeks. ^ ^ The storyline was no doubt engaging and the characters really grew on you in time in such a real way but it’s this theme song “Eyes on Me” which wins me over unanimously. I had actually never heard Faye Wong sing before playing this game but...

While I think most everyone has either seen or worn seifuku♥ wouldn’t it be cute and sexy* to be able to witness the variations in style and the dressing and undressing of a most adorable idol~♥ as if you were her mirror on the wall~? Um…for educational purposes only of course :P!

For the most accomplished of bands a thorough excursion through their bodies of work is necessary to fully understand & appreciate their accomplishments….for theirs’ is a tapestry on which rare greatness has gone full circle...

Matsu Takako recently released~* a special edition concert DVD set for her “Time for music” 2010 tour and this two disc set includes 19 awesome performances with some very familiar faces as her tour band accompanies her onstage with Shibata Toshibumi on keyboard, Sahashi Yoshiyuki on guitar, Yamamoto Takuo on sax, Kawauchi Keishi on bass, Ogasawara Takumi on drums & the lovely~♥ Matsu Takako performing on keyboards and of course as the lead vocalist~! Wonderfully jazzy arrangements are heard throughout the concert which mainly features the touring~album “Time for music” however there are also quite a few nostalgic j~pop gems too from Matsu Takako’s past release catalog even going back to her very debut single “Ashita, haru ga kitara” which is performed in an amazing new light with a much jazzed up arrangement...

Dating back to 1988, Tanimura Yumi has amassed quite a music collection over the years and even as far back as the early nineties she was already active in writing her own lyrics and music on select tracks. I was so happy to see Ayaya get a chance to showcase her vocals on a Tanimura Yumi composition…well not one but two actually...

~Every scene..a single brush stroke upon the canvas.
Films to savor, for film making of this beauty and depth and scale don’t grace us very often..and the fates truly lie in ways of the wind.
I couldn’t recommend two films any more than the John Woo directed epics “Red Clliff” and “Red Cliff II” and if grading on a ☆ scale these films receive 10 out of 10☆’ｓ。

Every now and then we’re graced with something so unique and special in music♪♪～, artists that move us with their melodies…relate to us with their lyrics and capture us with their hearts~. Sakai Izumi debuted as the lead vocalist for the group Zard in 1991 and for over a decade and a half her powerful vocals would resonate beautifully over 45 single releases and 20 albums (including compilations & tributes)…..she’s truly an artist that has left us too soon~...

Now @ 28 Fukada Kyoko has reached iconic heights as an idol who’s captivated and entertained in the vast opportunistic world of Japanese media where it’s most common for a talent to explore everything from modeling to television to movies and beyond~. Fukakyon♥ was born on November 2nd, 1982 and has remained with a single management agency (HORIPRO) since her early teens when she first began appearing regularly as either a cover~girl or featured girl in numerous idol magazine publications, then most notably with her early Bomb magazine appearances. Her acting career also began early in her mid teens and although Fukakyon is primarily known as a drama/t.v. actress having appeared in an impressive number of dramas which now total over 40 to date she also has a modest but noteworthy movie resume which includes standout performances first, in the dark realism of an idol’s world brought to screen in the 2002 film “Doll’s which mixes dark short stories and the 2004 cinematic~masterpiece “Shimotsuma Monogatari”...

This post is dedicated in the loving memory of my Grandmother♥.
I’ve been wanting to write this post for some time now…as my grandmother on my father’s side was pure Okinawan so this post holds a special meaning for me personally…I hope you enjoy it. ^-^ The lovely Kuninaka Ryoko (Kuninaka Ryouko) was born in Okinawa in June of 1979 and the first time that I saw her was...

Every now and then you come across an artist and individual so amazingly talented and endearing that you do the inevitable…..for me that means going on an instant shopping spree!…(^q^)..where I purchase as many releases as I can find in one swoop~! A seiyuu’s craft is dependant on her/his ability to project emotions, character and just about any nuance imaginable through their vocals as their onscreen personas are brought to life in ways that only a select few born with such *magical* pipes can achieve and excel with~*. I first heard Hirano Aya’s singing voice...

In a musical era where AkiP has brought attention and overwhelming success back to purely~styled J~pop compositions and an approach as well as a product which resonates all that reflects upon Japan’s uniqueness…a purity which over the years has been blurred by outside influences of hip~hop…r&b…euro~pop..and Ameri~pop to name just a few~. Ichikawa Yui in hindsight may have been just a few years too early as she ventured from model/actress into music, too early for the old~school resurgence which is topping the Japanese music charts of today~ and in a lot of ways I think she’s been one of J~pop’s much more underappreciated artists of the millenium~.

Born of Okinawan decent, Ueto Aya’s very first sparked~* interest in the entertainment industry at age 13 as she gained recognition in her very first beauty contest entry~…however much like Fukakyon, Ayachan’s time spent in the idol♥world was brief and was only explored early in her career~. A springboard into numerous successful endeavors~* which have flourished to this day…however before venturing any further I thought it’d be appropriate to first “meet” one of Japan’s most endeared and successful talents~o(*´∀｀)o゛♥...

It’s so amazing to watch Kimutaku, Shingo, Goro, and Tsuyoshi (aka “rice eye”…well that’s what my mom calls him because she can never remember his name… :P ) cook up delicious and amazing gourmet meals!!! I mean they really can cook!!! And not just simple dishes but rather...

Getting my very first taste of what could be Japan’s currently most aggressive all girl band! Four Osaka high school students with a garage~band aura? That was enough to pull me in and now after a little over one week of listening, “Temptation Box” is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums and where to begin?..there’s so much to say!

In preparation for my very first trip to LA and with the one mission in mind of acquiring autographs from AKB48 and Mano Erina that and of course attending a great concert and film event!, surely I needed to have some sort of memorabilia, photos or just something for them to sign, so....

For a somewhat more informative and structured post on Tanimura Yumi see latter posts (also "featured" below)….as today is all about performances and visuals~♥. Tanimura Yumi’s vocals are so immaculate and she makes it look so effortless in concert…..Yumi~chan really embodies all that is possible for any idol who aspires to a much more involved career, one that will leave a lasting impression for years to come. As noted previously Tanimura Yumi’s career went from pure “idol” to songwriter/lyric composer really early in her career and she’s so accomplished on the piano making her concerts appear at times more like recitals in a sense. Her vocal control and range is breathtaking also as will be seen in the following live clips but her pvs are so cute as well~! ^ ^...

Fun fact about Japanese watermelons or “suika” are that they’re much more round than their counterpart American ones so you know what that means right??….they’re great for bowling of course and remember if they drift towards the left they’re not quite ready to eat however if they barrow towards the gutter on the right side then they’re perfectly~* ready to dig into っo(*´∀｀)o! Sorry I just totally made that ↑↑ up just now (._.;)…anyway...

Okamoto Mayo, a most accomplished musician/ singer who’s been active since the mid 90’s debuted with a most distinguished achievement as her debut single “Tomorrow” topped the Oricon Charts at #1…released on May 10th, 1995 it was also a tie~in theme song to the drama series “Second Chance.” Her discography over the years includes 20 singles and 16 original albums in addition to compilations and numerous visual releases from pvs to live concerts. With a most recognizable style and a vocal prowess capable of the sweetest of highs with a range and nuance projected through heartfelt emotions and touch with outstanding control it’s still not her most impressive ingredient stemming from her now long reaching resume in music~...

SCANDAL, I think still the coolest and most impressive~musician oriented all female Japanese rock band since Princess Princess and I love that this album isn’t single~dominated as there are so many new songs here!! Love the entire album top to bottom but I particularly have a soft spot for “Bright” and “HARUKAZE”…♥!...

Like countless others have done so before and since, Nakama Yukie’s rise to becoming one of Japan’s most celebrated actresses/celebrities passed through the gates of idol career, gravure model as well as a venture into a music career…the latter being my initial focus here...

So a couple of days ago my best and closest girl friend~ Couscous who’s admittedly cute~♥ and yummy♥ beyond words announces to me out “out~of~the~blue”….’I think you’re a vaginatarian.’ What exactly is a vaginatarian?...

With HM@ ratings down and the all new “Berikyuu” show on the horizon bringing the promise of something great, I’ve been trying to think of a few ways in which HM@ could improve their show! :P Starting with…

Well Augusta is upon us again…..and yet I know not much about golf technique and I once “scored” a 35 on that ugh!!! volcano~like miniature golf hole….I mean seriously who invented that thing?? (ノロ≦。)！！！

Back on May 14, 2000 Amuro Namie performed for the very first time in the U.S. and it occurred right here in Hawaii! With substantial financial backing and 2 years of planning this monumental concert took place at Oahu’s famous landmark, the Waikiki Shell....

Feeling tired (_´Д｀)ノ。。of your same old wardrobe? Want to feel the euphoria~* of custom idol♥gear? ………(゜∀゜)………。 …but low on cash$? Well now there’s a way~ to get a~hold of rare concert merchandise.. ..and its free!!!! っo(*´∀｀)o! …

There’s a great possibility that you’ve watched this one too! And there are those special dramas which further draw and endear themselves to the viewer and a few weeks ago I found myself again reliving the drama “Long Vacation” as I’ve watched it quite a few times since its broadcast =) and it’s most wonderful that till this day it hasn’t fallen ill to that sense of ‘dated’ or stuck in an era as great love/ relationship stories can be truly timeless,…when of course the storytelling and development of characters is at a premium in writing and talents respectfully...

1. The opening credits reflects so much of the show’s personality and is one of the cutest ever!! One of J-Pop’s finest, Arashi presents you the main theme song…here hit play while I ramble for a little while…

In a span of approximately 55 minutes Kamei treats us to some of her inner most thoughts while on location in scenic Okinawa. Whenever I see any footage or photos of Okinawa it just has such a warm and small town feel to their community and their architecture is always so amazing to see~! Unlike any of its predecessors, in large “20 Dreams” is a personal recollection which delves into a much more intimate look into an idol’s aspirations, hopes and dreams as the title suggests and where other previous releases may have only scratched the surface, Kamei’s narrative throughout covers anything from simple aspects such as hair color, dream bedroom & home design and fellow members to much deeper thoughts of family memories, specific childhood events, and future speculation. And throughout it’s all delivered with cute sincerity and more than any other member in Momusu, Kamei possesses the uncanny ability to incorporate the most adorable random and honest laughter that I’ve ever seen...

あっ！すごいかわいく～♥！！かわいく～♥！！！
Harugon, Nacchan, Rabutan, Ayarin & Mayuyu continue to be the cutest~* of units!…and I’m just listening to their 6th single I know so late XD! While I so adore Mayuyu’s vocals and we’ve had plenty till now with her solo songs~♥, but the more I hear Rabutan’s voice the more she’s beginning to become my favorite vocal in the group =)……and while watching the making of she just sounded so anime~like saying “gyu♥!” each time, like the cutest cutest cutest character you can imagine っo(*´∀｀)o！！

Firstly, I wasn’t ever sure if I would see the day in which SPEED’s all time record sales for an all girl group would be broken and not by a slim margin by any means as AKB48 has eclipsed this record (reaching in excess of 826,000 copies sold) which has stood for I think…over a decade now?..and if there were any single which was worthy of such an achievement surely “Beginner” is deservingly so~. At the top of the Oricon this past week, AKB48 has also eclipsed omg!!! even Arashi’s~♥ used to be leading single’s sales plateau for the year for a single release :O and from the outside one may wonder why this single in particular?..and why now?

Do you crave more girl♥power in your life?
Or do you *secretly*….or maybe not so *secretly* ♥ watching very attractive actresses kick some serious butt on screen?!!
Have you grown tired of watching girls bake madeleines in the kitchen all day while the men get to drive the car?
Hmm…if you answered yes to any of the questions above then “so close” may be just for you~. (￣▽￣)

In collaboration with Aquaplus, Dream Tech has created a beautiful 1/6 scale pvc statue of Kousaka Tamaki who is one of several featured characters in the popular Japanese “renai” (aka dating simulation) game “To Heart 2.” This series has gone from Playstation2 to pc and has since become an anime and manga series in Japan...

Uminii’s newest visual release~* arrived and having gone from seeing her much earlier photographs from “Ao no corridor” initially to now “Umikaze”, she’s matured so much in so little time and she’s simply breAthtaking in this release...

While looking @ my bottle of shampoo a few days ago it got me thinking about the full~bodied model/idol♥…(yup I’m weird that way =P) and how it’s nice to see measurements and not have to ask the question possibly coined by L.A.~ians many moons ago: ‘do u think those R real (・c_・;)？？？

Shortly after the January 21st announcement during AKBb48’s “Request Hour Set List Best 100” the pre~orders went up for Akip’s latest unit interestingly named “Not yet” and such is the venue of favor these days for announcing graduations, debuts and other sometimes jaw~dropping bombshells upon unsuspecting fans’ heads~. Happily this time it’s the birth of a new foursome...

In late ’97 a flash of J-Pop goodness appeared on Japan’s horizon in the form of a most unlikely group of members…in a time when “idol” groups were just about to break free from their brief hiatus of unpopularity there came a group comprised of 2 comedians and a very very cute Taiwanese model...